Washington, D.C., Jan 08 (V7N) — President-elect Donald Trump has stirred controversy by sharing a map on his social media platform, Truth Social, depicting Canada as part of the United States. The map, captioned "Oh Canada!", erased state borders and labeled the newly merged entity as "United States." The move has drawn sharp criticism, including a pointed response from outgoing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

The post comes amid Trump’s history of comments suggesting economic pressure on Canada to align more closely with the U.S. In the past, Trump has floated the idea of making Canada the 51st state, often citing economic and military dependencies.

At a press conference in Florida on Tuesday, Trump reiterated his stance, stating, “Get rid of the artificial border. It would be very good for national security.” He criticized Canada’s military spending, calling it overly reliant on U.S. forces. However, when asked if military action would be used to integrate Canada, Trump clarified, “No, we would use economic force.”

Justin Trudeau, who announced his resignation as Prime Minister just a day earlier, responded to Trump’s post by sharing his own maps labeled "United States" and "Not United States." Trudeau emphasized Canada's sovereignty, stating, “Canada will never be part of the United States. Our nations are partners, but Canada remains independent and proud.”

Trudeau also highlighted the strong economic and security ties between the two countries, noting the mutual benefits for both societies. His comments underline growing concerns over Trump's approach to U.S.-Canada relations.

Trump’s remarks and the controversial map have sparked debates internationally, with many questioning the implications for U.S.-Canada relations. Political analysts suggest that Trump's comments may be part of a broader strategy to exert economic influence over Canada.

As the situation develops, Canadians and Americans alike are watching closely, with some fearing potential strains on the historically cooperative relationship between the two nations.

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